Here we are, at the final chapter! I'm really going to miss this story. I had a lot of fun writing all of the characters and the many dramatic scenes within. I hope you had just as much fun reading it! Thank you so much to each and every one of you who took the time to read it or leave a review. I appreciate it so much!

Finally, let's take a look at those poll results: Who did you think most deserved to win the tournament and return to life?

1st Ness and Greninja with 4 votes

2nd Meta Knight and Robin with 2 votes

3rd Link and Olimar with 1 vote

4th Dark Pit and Charizard with 0 votes

I was not expecting Greninja to be on there, what with the life she led! I guess you all meant she deserved to go back and live a happy, peaceful life. :) Not surprised Ness is at the top too. My heart breaks for the poor thing, but I'm really happy with the way he went. If I were you guys, I probably would have voted either Ness or Meta Knight. Or Robin. It's a tough decision!

Again, thank you all for your support! Have a Merry Christmas and best of luck in the coming year. Enjoy the last chapter of The Final Destination!

Chapter 30: A New Beginning

"Olimar, hang on!"

Olimar gasped. Air filled his lungs. His eyes flew open and locked with Alph's, inches from his own, wide and overflowing with panic.

"Hang on, Olimar! Don't let go!" he begged, squeezing the spaceman's hand until it throbbed.

The Plasm Wraith was locked around his legs, dragging him backwards into darkness. Alph's arm shook with effort. His grip was beginning to slip.

A wave of adrenaline swept through Olimar's body. He didn't know where it came from when he had no strength to give. Perhaps this was his body's last bid for life. One thing he knew for sure: he was not going to waste it.

Alph uttered a sob. They were holding onto one another by their very fingertips. "I'm sorry!" he choked out.

Their hands parted.

"NO!" Olimar unleashed a mighty yell and threw himself at Alph, reaching for him with his other hand. He snatched the younger spaceman's wrist in his hand and held on tight. Alph's eyes went even wider than before. A split second later, all of his fight seemed to return to him.

"All right, hang on! This isn't over yet!" he shouted, digging his heels into the ground to try and resist the Plasm Wraith's pull.

"Hold on you two! I've got ya!"

Olimar looked up to see the burly spaceman in green charging to join them. He gathered Alph up in his arms and began pulling too.

"Captain Charlie!" Alph gasped in amazement.

"Brittany! Louie! Get over here—we're not letting this vile beast win!" Captain Charlie roared. Olimar felt respect flow through him.

A few seconds later, Brittany and even the cowardly Louie joined them, grabbing onto Charlie and pulling. An army of Pikmin followed and lined up behind them.

"We're here for you, Alphie!" Brittany cried out.

"All together now!" Charlie grunted. "Heave ho!"

"Heave ho!" Countless Pikmin echoed in their little voices.

Olimar gasped, astonished as the Plasm Wraith's strength was bested in a single blow. His legs slid free from their entrapment. The Wraith, which had been pulling the other way with everything it had, went tumbling backwards with a muted screech. Olimar flew the other way, crashing into his fellow spacemen. He staggered to his knees, disoriented. Strong hands grabbed his shoulders and set him back on his feet.

"RUN!" Brittany screamed shrilly.

Louie was already way ahead of them, making a beeline back to the ship. Olimar and the others pounded after them. The Pikmin followed, their voices raised in sheer excitement.

Then came the Plasm Wraith. It pursued them once more out into the sunlight.

"Keep running!" Alph gasped. "Don't look back!"

But Olimar was weaker than the others. He hadn't walked for days. Pure adrenaline was what kept him going, but he still couldn't keep up with his saviors. He was falling behind. And the Plasm Wraith was right on his heels…

Then came a flash of color. A red Pikmin passed by Olimar, running in the opposite direction. It caught his eye for a split second, nodded, and then unleashed a tiny battle cry. Other Pikmin took up the cry, turning around despite not being commanded to do so. They flung their little bodies at the Plasm Wraith, stopping it where it stood.

Tears flooded Olimar's eyes. Thank you.

He did as Alph said and ran without looking back. But he could still hear those brave Pikmin as they fought their last fight. Some went back to join them. Others stayed by his side until they reached the ship, until they were certain he was safe. Then they darted into their massive, shared Onion. Olimar had never seen anything like it. He almost stopped to marvel at it.

"Olimar, MOVE!" Charlie grabbed his arm and yanked him into their ship. Alph, Brittany, and Louie were already inside, practically jumping up and down with their nerves.

"Go, Charlie! Liftoff! Liftoff!" Brittany squeaked fearfully.

"I'm going, I'm going!" Charlie blustered, moving the ship into action. Out the window, they could see the Plasm Wratih barreling towards them, coated in a layer of attacking Pikmin. It reached one tentacle towards the ship, just as a fire lit underneath it.

"BLASTOFF!" Charlie shouted.

The ship took to the air. The Plasm Wraith leapt, reached—and missed. It crashed back to the ground, writhing with fury, screeching its frustration to the skies. Then it savagely turned on the Pikmin who had remained behind, while the rest followed the ship safely in their Onion.

Olimar had to turn his face away. He couldn't believe what he had witnessed. The Pikmin had gone on to fight for him of their own accord. He wasn't even their Master. I'll never take a single Pikmin for granted ever again, he promised himself.

Suddenly, someone hugged him. It was Louie. He was holding onto Olimar tightly, trembling with pure relief.

A slight smile crossed Olimar's lips. "It's good to see you again too."

"Well…I think now is a good time for proper introductions. Captain Charlie at your service!" The burly captain put his hands on his hips, grinning jovially. His chest shook with laughter and sheer relief.

Alph echoed his laughter. "We're alive…" he said, collapsing to the ground. "We can go home. We're alive."

"Barely!" Brittany burst out. "Now isn't the time for this—Olimar is running out of air! We need to help him at once!"

Olimar gasped, remembering that he had little life support left. "You're right," he whispered. "That's strange…"

"What's strange?" Alph asked, as the others ran off to find a new tank for Olimar.

"My air had depleted when we were…back there, fighting off the monster…I'm almost certain I had passed out…"

"You did?" Alph cocked his head quizzically.

For some reason, his memory felt a little bit fuzzy. Olimar frowned deeply, trying to recall what had happened. "Yes, but then I came back…and I made it all the way here."

While it bothered Olimar, Alph didn't seem too concerned about it. "Sounds like it was nothing short of a miracle!" he said, turning his attention to where the others had disappeared.

Olimar wanted to believe there was a scientific explanation for everything. Perhaps there was just a bit more air left in the tank, more than the gauge told him.

Or maybe Alph was right, he thought, with an amused smile.

Maybe a miracle had occurred after all.

When Dark Pit woke up, the sun was high in the sky. Despite how dangerous the world had been lately, it was going to be a beautiful day. He decided to go for a fly and stretch his wings.

Soaring over the clouds, Dark Pit felt an odd feeling come over him. He felt strangely light. The shafts of sunlight cutting through the clouds warmed his feathers and skin, soaking him with contentedness.

But there was something wrong too. Like the feeling he had forgotten something, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember what it was. He tried to ignore the tiny, nagging voice within him and focus on his surroundings.

"PIT?!"

A feminine scream pierced the air. Dark Pit recognized the voice, but the note of panic and grief within it was something new. It almost alarmed him.

Dark Pit looped through the air and doubled back. Not far behind him, standing on a cloud, was Palutena. She was goggling at him. Obviously, she had mistaken him for his goody-two-shoes doppelganger.

"What, you going blind or something?" Dark Pit scoffed, landing next to her with a glare.

But Palutena had no clever quips for him today. She just stared at Dark Pit, eyes wide, mouth parted in shock. Yeesh. Do I have something on my face? The dark angel wondered grumpily.

Dark Pit looked around. "Hey, where's that dopey loser? Did he already fill his quota of sucking up to you today?"

Palutena blinked slowly. Her expression contorted into a look of pure grief. It took Dark Pit by surprise. Never had he seen such raw emotion in the goddess's eyes. It shook him to the core.

"Pit is dead," Palutena whispered.

Dark Pit took a step back, stunned. He nearly fell backwards off the cloud, he was so startled. "What?!" he gasped. "D-Don't…Don't pull this crap on me! You know I hate practical jokes—"

"It's not a joke," Palutena croaked. Tears shone in the corners of her eyes. "He died…fighting for me…"

"Shut up!" Dark Pit snapped. "You're lying! Because if Pit was dead…then that means I…I…!" Fear swallowed him up. He clutched his hands to his chest, fully expecting to vanish at any moment. After all, everyone had told him. He was just a clone, connected to the "true" Pit. If Pit died, he died. It had been proven when he'd gone into that coma.

Palutena closed her eyes. "Were we wrong?" she whispered, more to herself than to him. "Perhaps…you were never connected to Pit in the way that we thought."

Dark Pit blinked at her. He'd been ready to assume the worst, believing he would drop dead any second. But what did Palutena mean? If she was right, then, that meant…he was in control of his own life.

"My…my life is my own?" Saying the words out loud made him feel slightly dizzy. "No way…"

Palutena was gazing at him again. Her sadness had been contained. The tears were gone, but deep in her eyes, the grief remained. "You look so much like him," she whispered.

Dark Pit squirmed a bit at that. He never liked being compared to Pit. But now that he was dead…

Well, he almost felt guilty for the relief he felt at being alive. He could have jumped for joy. His life was his own! He was Dark Pit—or perhaps just "Pit," bound to no one but himself. After all, who was to say he was a clone, if the so-called original was gone?

Dark Pit struggled to contain all of the emotions threatening to consume him. He looked to Palutena. "Err—hey," he stuttered. "I'm…I'm sorry. About Pit."

Palutena offered him an unconvincing smile. "As am I. Now, go."

"Go?" Dark Pit echoed, dumbfounded.

Palutena nodded sagely. "Go live your life."

Those four words cleansed Dark Pit. He felt years of bitterness and angst falling away. Pure joy was there to replace them. And he couldn't help but smile, a true, genuine smile that lit up his entire face.

"I will."

Robin felt like she had been sleeping for an age.

The last thing she remembered was surrendering her life for Grima's defeat. After that, darkness consumed her. She might as well have been dead. She was barely conscious, barely aware of anything.

Until after what felt like a very long time, a familiar voice pierced the darkness like a shaft of light. A voice that awakened deep feelings of love within Robin. They coursed through her, giving her strength, willing her to awaken. And very slowly, she opened her eyes.

Light filled her vision. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, the same color as a robin's egg. Puffy white clouds raced across it. She blinked her eyes, trying to focus on the two faces that hovered over hers. Piece by piece, they came into focus.

Suddenly, Robin's eyes swelled with tears. A wave of emotion washed over her, so powerful that she was rendered speechless. Grief, happiness, relief, love. It all culminated into a single word:

Chrom.

Chrom's beautiful blue eyes blinked sweetly back into hers. He smiled warmly. Gods, how she had missed that smile. She felt it had been a day and an age since she had seen it.

Chrom bent, taking Robin's hand in his. She squeezed it tightly. Just to make sure it was real.

"There are better places to take a nap than on the ground, you know," he said, hoisting Robin to her feet. His sister, Lissa, chuckled.

For a moment, Robin just stood there, lightheaded. She swayed on her feet, just staring at Chrom in disbelief. A spark of alarm entered Chrom's gaze and he looked to Lissa—had Robin forgotten them? Were her memories lost to her once more?

She did not leave them doubting. Robin took a deep breath. The tears broke free, but she hardly cared.

"Chrom!" she cried out, throwing herself into his arms.

Chrom caught her. His face filled with relief. He held Robin close as she sobbed into his chest, stroking her hair gently. "Welcome back," he whispered. "It's over now."

Robin drew back to gaze into Chrom's eyes once more, drinking in the sight of his face. She never wanted to part from him again. She pressed her lips to his. He returned the kiss deeply, passionately. It was just like the night he had first kissed her in the pouring-down rain, even as their enemies pursued them. Their love was an unstoppable force.

Two halves of a whole.

"Mother?!"

Robin and Chrom broke apart. Across the field stood Lucina and Morgan in stunned disbelief.

Another wave of emotion crashed over Robin. "Lucina…Morgan…!" she choked out, nearly losing her voice once more.

"We never stopped searching," Chrom said quietly, looking at their children with immeasurable fondness in his eyes.

Lucina and Morgan came racing across the field, shouting their jubilance to the skies. Robin raced to meet them. Once they met, she snatched both of them up in her arms, holding them close. They hugged her back so tightly she thought her spine would snap, but she hardly cared. She laughed and cried at the same time as they gripped one another in a loving embrace.

Chrom came to join them, encircling all three of them with his strong arms. And just like that, their family was whole again.

"I love you," Robin cried, kissing each one of them on the cheek. "I love you so much."

"We love you too, Mother," Morgan beamed.

Lucina was a crying mess, but managed to smile through her tears. "I'm so glad you're back."

"Okay, outta the way, outta the way! Time for a hug from Lissa!" Lissa came bounding up to hug Robin as well. "Oh, Robin, I missed you SO much!"

"I missed you too," Robin choked out as Lissa hugged her so tightly it forced the air from her lungs. "But…it's starting to…get kind of hard to breathe…!"

Everyone just laughed. Robin gasped in relief when Lissa released her. Then she saw Frederick standing quietly by. She almost hadn't noticed him in the reunion.

"Sir Frederick," she said with a nod.

He offered her a shy, genuine smile. "It is good to have you back, milady. The Shepherds are going to be absolutely thrilled to see you again."

"Not to mention the kingdom! They're going to be partying for days!" Lissa squealed, brimming with excitement.

"That sounds wonderful. I can't wait to see everyone again." Robin imagined all of the soldiers she had come to know as friends. No, even more than that. They were her family. They were her life. And she was so grateful that she had gotten this second chance to return to them.

She wasn't quite sure how it happened, but she was grateful nonetheless.

She turned to her family. Chrom, Lucina, Morgan. They gazed back at her, love shining in their eyes. She felt her heart lighten and glow with pure joy.

"Come on," Robin said. "Let's go home."

Grief had ripped a hole in Kirby's heart. He could not stop crying. Just a few feet behind him, Meta Knight was bleeding out on the ground. His blade pierced Meta Knight's chest, sunk deep into his flesh.

His own mentor. Dead by his hand.

He wailed and sobbed even harder. Tears splashed the ground at his feet. "I'm sorry, Meta Knight!" he bawled, even though the knight could no longer hear him. "I'm sorry!"

"KIRBY! LOOK OUT!" A deep voice roared.

Kirby whipped around with a gasp. Behind him, Dark Matter loomed. And he had nothing to defend himself with.

But then came Meta Knight. He clutched a sword in each hand—his own, Galaxia, and the bloodstained sword Kirby had stabbed him with. His dark wings clawed the air. He threw himself at Dark Matter, a whirl of blades, slashing at its eye. It shrieked with outrage and pain. Kirby just watched from his position on the ground, stunned.

For a full minute, Meta Knight battled Dark Matter, forcing it back. It reached for him, trying to envelop him in darkness and regain control of him, but Meta Knight would not let it touch him. He was a blur of color, practically dancing circles around the darkness.

Realizing it did not stand a chance, Dark Matter gave up. It gathered itself up into a tight ball and shot away, moving quickly towards the horizon.

Meta Knight tossed his extra sword. It landed with a clatter. He braced himself for takeoff, ready to pursue the horrible beast that had bested him.

"Wait!" Kirby cried out, grabbing the older knight. "Meta Knight, wait!"

"Let me go," Meta Knight growled. "It's getting away."

"You were dead!" Kirby burst out, scrambling around to block Meta Knight's path. He looked him up and down in shock. His eyes widened at the sight of blood. "You're bleeding…"

Meta Knight touched his chest, just under his mask. When he drew his hand away, his glove was stained with blood. The adrenaline in Meta Knight's system slipped away. As it did, confusion set in. "What…what happened?" he murmured. He struggled to remember what he'd been doing before this. He looked to Kirby and gasped.

An image flashed through his mind. He saw Kirby lying dead among the wreckage of the Halberd, the ruined walls painted red with his blood. Galaxia was lodged between his dark, lifeless eyes.

Meta Knight cried out in horror. He stumbled backwards, clutching his head.

"Meta!" Kirby yelled, fearful. He put one paw on Meta Knight's arm.

Meta Knight turned to him, trembling. His yellow eyes shone with terror. Never had Kirby seen him like this. He must have been hurt terribly. He reached for his wound, wanting to stop the flow of blood before it was too late. But as the pink puffball's hand met Meta Knight's skin, his eyes went wide with shock.

There was no wound.

"Kirby…I…I killed you…" Meta Knight wheezed in disbelief.

Kirby shook his head. "No! No, you didn't, Meta Knight. I…" His little face puckered with sheer sorrow. "I killed you. A-At least…I thought I did…Dark Matter, it…" Tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'm sorry!" he burst out, throwing himself onto Meta Knight and squeezing him in a hug.

Meta Knight didn't have the heart to push him off. "No, Kirby. I should be the one who is sorry. I was not strong enough to break through Dark Matter's influence," he said wearily.

The memory of Kirby's broken body lying inside the Halberd tried to squeeze its way back into his mind. He forced it away with a shudder.

He had always feared a certain darkness dwelling within him. It had come to light on that faithful day on the Halberd, when he and Kirby had fought for Dreamland's future. But the young hero had not died that day. The memory of Kirby's death must have been from a terrible dream. Or perhaps Dark Matter's presence in his mind had planted it there like an evil seed. A warning of what could come.

He would not allow that seed to grow. Determination filled him up, chasing out any doubt he harbored.

"It's not your fault," Kirby sniffled, finally releasing Meta Knight and backing away. He wiped his eyes, and then gazed at his mentor. A smile worked its way onto his face. "I'm glad you're okay."

"I am glad you are okay, as well," Meta Knight said, nodding at Kirby. "Dreamland needs its hero. In the meantime…" He glared into the direction Dark Matter had fled and unfolded his wings. "I will not let this monster escape so easily with its life."

"Wait," Kirby said, reaching out to Meta Knight once more. "Please…don't go…"

"Don't go?" Meta Knight echoed, looking at Kirby with a mixture of surprise and annoyance.

Kirby looked sadly at his feet. "Don't go on your own," he whispered. "We're stronger if we work together, Meta Knight. So…no more fighting on your own. Please. You and me and…even King Dedede…if we could all fight this together…" He raised his eyes to Meta Knight's. They sparked with determination. "Then we can definitely, definitely save Dreamland!"

He offered Meta Knight his hand.

Meta Knight could feel his heart pulling him away from Kirby, to go it alone like he always did. He knew he would always be a loner. He would always fight these many battles on his own. But looking at Kirby, at the childish hope in his eyes, somehow…he couldn't refuse him. Perhaps just this once, he would try. For Dreamland. And for him.

"Very well." Meta Knight took Kirby's hand. A glimmer of amusement glowed in his eyes—and perhaps a trace of fondness.

Kirby's entire face lit up. He squeezed Meta Knight's hand in his. "Let's go," he said resolutely. "Dreamland needs its heroes."

"Master Link?"

Link sat up a little straighter, turning to see Corrin approaching him from behind. She was the latest newcomer to the mansion—a kind yet naïve girl who never wore shoes and possessed the ability to turn into a dragon. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her and nodded in greeting.

Corrin pointed up the hill, towards the Smash Mansion. It was considerably smaller than the one Link had left. But he knew someday it would grow again and teem with life, just as it had done in the past.

"Cloud, Bayonetta, and I are setting up for a match. Would you like to join us?" She blinked warmly at him.

He smiled wearily. "No, thank you," he said. "And for the last time, you don't have to call me that. Just call me Link."

"But you're the master of this realm!" Corrin protested. "It doesn't feel right to just call you 'Link.'"

"Fine. You call me Master Link and I'll call you Princess Corrin."

Corrin's nose wrinkled in distaste. "On second thought, I'll just call you Link."

"Good."

"All right, then. See you later, M…er, I mean, Link!" With a wave and a grin, Corrin departed back up the hill, racing barefoot across the lawn.

Link chuckled under his breath. Then he turned back to watch the sun set on this world.

It was quiet evening. The hilltops were lit with a calm yellow glow. Dandelion puffs drifted gently on the slight breeze, rising skyward. Link watched them go, a gentle smile curving his lips. He felt full of peace.

"Is it that time again?" a deep voice rumbled behind him.

Link's heart nearly skipped a beat. He'd thought he was alone. "Don't sneak up on me like that, Meta Knight," he growled playfully, turning around to level the knight in a steely blue glare.

Meta Knight's eyes glowed bright with amusement, reflecting the orange sky. His cape hung at his sides instead of being wrapped tightly around his body as he used to do. This was the same Meta Knight Link had known in the previous world—and yet he was not quite the same.

This Meta Knight was warmer. In Master Hand's world, he had held everyone at a cold yet respectful distance. But then he had gotten the opportunity to go back and live his life. Link didn't know what had happened to Meta Knight during those many extra years he'd been blessed with. But he did know one thing: It had changed him.

Link wondered if the others who returned had changed too. If he had chosen to go with them, would he have as well? He chose not to dwell on it.

"One of them might be coming tonight," Link said. "Every month, a new one appears. It could be one of them."

Meta Knight nodded slowly. His memory of the former world was sparse. Bits and pieces had haunted him when he'd returned to Dreamland. He often felt himself enveloped by feelings of déjà vu or strange visions that he assumed came from dreams.

Then Link had explained everything when he got here. He never did fully regain the memories of his first visit here, but he was content with what he knew and the life he had led. And he would be forever grateful to the boy named Ness, who had traded his life for his. He wished he could meet him, to thank him for everything. That was one of the reasons he stayed here instead of forging onwards.

"When do you think you will open the doorway into the afterlife that follows this one?" Meta Knight questioned.

Link shook his head wearily. "I don't know. I've opened a portal on more than one occasion…but it's been too fragile to cross through…and I've never seen anyone on the other side." He sighed.

Meta Knight placed his hand on Link's own. "I am sure you will get there eventually," he said, with so much conviction that Link couldn't help but believe him. "Take your time. If anyone can do it, it is you."

Link closed his eyes with a smile. "Thank you."

There was a cold rush of wind. Link opened his eyes to find that Meta Knight had gone, leaving him alone on the hilltop. He snorted softly. The old knight still had a flair for the dramatic. Some things never changed.

He returned his attention to the sun. Only a thin sliver peeked above the horizon now. He waited for it to vanish with bated breath, digging his fingers into the soft grass beneath him.

And just as the day turned into night, there was a small flash of light on that hilltop. One could almost mistake it as a parting farewell from the sun as it disappeared for good. But Link knew otherwise.

Further down the hill stood a silhouette with long, flowing hair and a soft pink dress. Brilliant blue eyes caught the dying light from the sky, looking around in wonderment—then coming to rest on him.

Link's breath hitched in his throat. All of the air seemed to have vanished from his lungs in a single instant.

Zelda.

It was not his Zelda, but it was still her. This one was younger, with wider, innocent eyes that spilled over with curiosity.

Link's heart swelled with emotion. He smiled and slowly went down the hill to meet her.

Zelda continued to stare at him in wonderment, though the recognition in her eyes was clear. "I know you," she whispered, when he was close enough to hear her.

Link dropped to his knee and bowed his head. "Princess," he greeted, holding back tears. He gazed up at her, a gentle smile on his features. Then he rose back up, offering her his hand.

"Welcome," he said. "To the beginning of a brand new adventure."